The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Luke 2:34-35,
"This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed."
This statement was made by Simeon, a "righteous and devout" man. We are told the Holy Spirit was upon him and that he was moved by the Spirit to go into the temple courts where Joseph and Mary presented the infant Jesus according to the laws and customs of Israel. When Simeon saw Jesus, he took him in his arms, blessed Joseph and Mary and spoke these words to Mary.
In a short and aptly worded statement, the future of all mankind hangs in the balance. This infant, Jesus, will be the issue for all to consider: what to do with Jesus Christ? He is presented to us as God's sacrifice of atonement for sin, Romans 3:25. All who embrace him in faith will enter into God's family, John 1:12 and all who reject him will be cast into a fiery lake of burning sulfur, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." John 3:36. We find God's wrath for sin expressed in Revelation 20:14-15, "The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."
What to do with Jesus? This is the question of the ages and our response dictates our eternal destiny. Simeon told Mary that Jesus would be the cause of the falling and rising of many, that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. Paul quotes Isaiah in Romans 3:33, "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall,and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
What to do with Jesus? What a wonderful invitation God has made for us - to enter into his family! But it all hinges on Jesus Christ and what we do with him. "To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…" John 1:12.
What will you do with Jesus Christ today?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed."
This statement was made by Simeon, a "righteous and devout" man. We are told the Holy Spirit was upon him and that he was moved by the Spirit to go into the temple courts where Joseph and Mary presented the infant Jesus according to the laws and customs of Israel. When Simeon saw Jesus, he took him in his arms, blessed Joseph and Mary and spoke these words to Mary.
In a short and aptly worded statement, the future of all mankind hangs in the balance. This infant, Jesus, will be the issue for all to consider: what to do with Jesus Christ? He is presented to us as God's sacrifice of atonement for sin, Romans 3:25. All who embrace him in faith will enter into God's family, John 1:12 and all who reject him will be cast into a fiery lake of burning sulfur, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." John 3:36. We find God's wrath for sin expressed in Revelation 20:14-15, "The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."
What to do with Jesus? This is the question of the ages and our response dictates our eternal destiny. Simeon told Mary that Jesus would be the cause of the falling and rising of many, that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. Paul quotes Isaiah in Romans 3:33, "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall,and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
What to do with Jesus? What a wonderful invitation God has made for us - to enter into his family! But it all hinges on Jesus Christ and what we do with him. "To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God…" John 1:12.
What will you do with Jesus Christ today?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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